Rockets squash Charlotte to give new coach Udoka first win in Houston

In a landmark victory, the Houston Rockets claimed their first win of the 2023-2024 season, ending their spell among the teams yet to register a win. This feat was accomplished by defeating the Charlotte Hornets on home ground with a score of 128-119. The triumph was driven by the exceptional performance of third-year guard Jalen Green, alongside new teammates Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks who collectively contributed 65 points. This significant victory also marked the first win for new head coach Ime Udoka in Houston.

"Squad let it fly tonight!", tweeted the team on Nov. 1 following the game.

According to ESPN citing The Associated Press (AP), Houston's other two starters, forwards Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr, provided valuable support by chipping in double-digit points. This crucial win ended a three-game losing streak that began with the season-opening loss against Orlando Magic.

However, this hard-fought victory did not come without setbacks as reported by AP. The Rockets faced a blow in form of an ankle sprain injury endured by rookie Amen Thompson, who was picked fourth overall in June's National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. Despite this setback, Thompson managed to add four points to his team’s tally before being compelled to leave the contest due to injury.

Next up for Rockets and indeed for NBA at large is the pioneering In-Season Tournament slated to commence on Nov. 3 according to official NBA reports. Set to span approximately a month, this groundbreaking competition will conclude with its title match scheduled on Dec. 9.